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July 21, 2011

Urgent care center replaces Wilford Hall ER

By Staff Sgt. Josie Walck 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

The Wilford Hall emergency department closed on July 1 and a new Urgent Care Center, or UCC, is now in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the ED's old location. &quot;Our primary goal is to provide medical care to Lackland's basic military trainees and technical school students. However, we are also staffed to provide care to patients, over 2 years old, who need treatment for acute minor illnesses or injuries,&quot; said Maj. Erika Hooper, UCC Flight commander. Hooper is quick to define minor illnesses and injuries. &quot;Colds, flu, animal bites, rashes, and sprained ankles are the types of cases we are equipped to handle,&quot; Hooper said. &quot;Anyone who needs emergency assistance should go to Brooke Army Medical Center or the nearest emergency department.&quot; Wilford Hall has launched an aggressive publicity campaign to help patients understand the UCC's limitations and the importance of seeking emergency care at a facility equipped to handle their medical needs. &quot;We have conducted TV and radio broadcasts, published newspaper articles, put up posters and distributed pamphlets,&quot; Hooper said. &quot;It's vital that people with chest pains and stroke symptoms, or those who have suffered a serious trauma not come here because it will just delay their care.&quot; The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law directed that all inpatient care at Wilford Hall must move to BAMC by Sept. 15, 2011. &quot;Patients need to understand that we have been moving staff and services to BAMC for months,&quot; said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Patrick Muehlberger, 59th Emergency Medical Squadron

Commander. &quot;We no longer have the ability to perform the life-saving procedures Wilford Hall patients have come to expect. &quot;Our cardio catheterization lab has moved to BAMC and experienced surgeons are not available 24/7 here anymore,&quot; Muehlberger added. &quot;Wilford Hall is almost finished transitioning into an ambulatory surgical center and it's potentially dangerous for patients with serious illnesses and injuries to ignore that fact.&quot; Patients are urged to call the UCC at 292-7331 for more information, especially if there is uncertainty about which facility can best handle their medical needs.